Veteran Portland firefighter picked to be next chief

PORTLAND — David Jackson, a 25-year Fire Department veteran, was selected by City Manager Jon Jennings to permanently replace former Chief Jerome LaMoria, the city announced Wednesday.

Jackson’s appointment will be voted on by city councilors Feb. 1. He has been acting chief since LaMoria resigned Oct. 20, 2015.

“Chief Jackson’s impressive and long career with the Portland Fire Department, combined with his guidance as acting chief, made us realize that we had already found our next leader of the department,” Jennings said in a press release.

Jackson became a firefighter in July 1990. He served at stations on Stevens Avenue and Munjoy Hill, and directed air and marine division operations as special operations chief. Most recently he was assistant chief of emergency operations.

“I have always been very proud to be part of this organization, and the outstanding service that our men and women give every day,” Jackson said in the prepared statement. “The real work lies ahead of us as we evaluate what our fire department looks like today, and plan for what it will look like in the future.”